Families, in their various flavors, have been essential to television since that light first flickered on. They may be ideal or nightmarish, or both, or in between, and we take to them — be they Waltons or Addamses or Simpsons — according to our own experience or desires, having known families of our own or wanted something other than what we had.
In “Schitt’s Creek,” Dan Levy co-created — with his father, Eugene, yet — one of the medium’s greatest family comedies. It was a show that grew over time from a basic premise about rich people who lose their money and are forced to live at close quarters in adjoining motel rooms to a paean to love, understanding and acceptance. It swept the comedy categories at the 2020 Emmys, including acting awards for both Levys, Catherine O’Hara and Annie Murphy and writing and directing trophies for Dan.
“To family” are in fact the last words spoken in the first season of “Bad Mistakes,” Levy’s noisy, funny new show, co-created with Rachel Sennott and now streaming on Netflix — though given what precedes it, it’s less a blessing than a curse. Levy plays Nicky, a pastor at a sparsely attended suburban New Jersey church of no evident denomination. He’s out as gay, but supposedly celibate; that he has a boyfriend, Tareq (Jacob Gutierrez), is known only to Tareq; this, of course, creates a secret, which will create pressure, which will create comedy.
Sister Morgan (Taylor Ortega) is an elementary school teacher, a job that doesn’t quite jibe with everything else we see about her — it’s barely represented, anyway, summer having come — and a very longtime boyfriend, Max (Jack Innanen), who has decided that now is the moment to propose. She had once tried acting in New York, which means that she lived a wilder life once and is something of an improviser. Their mother, Linda (Laurie Metcalf), who owns a hardware store, is running for mayor and the campaign is being managed by extra daughter Natalie (Abby Quinn).
The series begins as their grandmother is dying, and at Linda’s command, they rush out to buy her a present — Linda is trying to squeeze in an “early birthday” before her mother passes. And because she is that sort of person, Morgan shoplifts what she imagines is a cheap necklace from a convenience store. (Attendant Yusuf, played by Boran Kuzum, will have much to do.) The necklace isn’t cheap, it turns out, for no particularly good reason, and the convenience store isn’t just a convenience store, but a kind of waystation for stolen goods run by local Russian mobsters. As a result, Morgan and Nicky find themselves forced to run errands for them, under threat of death, or worse.
The show gets very complicated on its way to a circular semi-conclusion; there is a lot going on, with Linda’s mayoral ambitions and various relationship issues. (Elizabeth Perkins plays Max’s mother, bridging storylines.) But it’s a good ride, and classic in its way; searching the phrase “get mixed up with gangsters” brings forth a host of old comedies. Through the dodgiest situations, brother and sister do not hesitate to argue. Nicky would love to be anywhere else, while Morgan finds it invigorating. Though it is all improbable, the parts do mesh neatly; they make television sense.
Finally, the series rests on the shoulders of the three principal players, who are just a pleasure to watch; the camera obliges by moving in close. Levy brings a soft-spoken breathlessness you may recognize from his David Rose on “Schitt’s”; his softly muttered “OK,” which might just mean “stop talking,” is almost a trademark. Ortega brings a kind of poignance to her reborn wild child, while Metcalf plays Linda with a kind of small-town operatic intensity, eyes popped and pronunciation precise — she’s like a country cousin to O’Hara’s Moira Rose — as if she were onstage pitching to the back row of the theater.
Michelle Pfeiffer and Elle Fanning in “Margo’s Got Money Troubles,” premiering April 15, 2026 on Apple TV.
(Allyson Riggs/Courtesy of Apple)
In “Margo’s Got Money Problems, premiering Wednesday on Apple TV, Elle Fanning plays the title character, a college student flattered into bed by her married-with-children writing professor, Mark (Michael Angarano), despite my shouting at the screen for her not to do it. Soon she is pregnant, and soon after that the essentially single mother of baby Bodhi, unable to find work or the time to write. (As the heroine, we assume her talent.)
Presumably in search of some normalcy, Margo’s mother, Shyanne (Michelle Pfeiffer), a former good time girl — but still sparkly — has become engaged to Kenny (Greg Kinnear), Christian, square and sincere; the Ralph Bellamy of the piece, you are not asked to take him quite seriously (though Kinnear plays him straight). Shyanne’s ex-husband is Jinx, a former professional wrestler, played by Nick Offerman with the low-key affect of Ron Swanson, dialed down even further; depression and drug addiction will do that to you. Fresh out of rehab, he trades a championship belt for a motorcycle and joins the household; though he left Margo early, and unlike Shyanne, he proves to have a marvelous, easy way with Bodhi. (The baby himself, or babies — they use twins for this job — are themselves marvelous.)
Also in residence is roommate Susie (Thaddea Graham), a chirpy cosplayer — and coincidentally Jinx’s biggest fan — whose skills will become valuable as Margo, needing cash, sets off into the world of OnlyFans. First picking up tips describing followers’ penises in terms of Pokémon (no explanation has been thought necessary), she pivots to video, mounting increasingly elaborate sexy sci-fi productions alongside Susie (sets and costumes), Jinx (narrative advice, stunt coordinator) and OnlyFans veterans KC (Rico Nasty) and Rose (Lindsey Normington), a fabulous tag team to whom Margo turns for advice. (Margo does seem to take things over, but it’s her name in the title, so there you go.) This introduces an element of Mickey and Judy, my uncle’s got a barn, let’s put on a show comedy. More important, it creates a team, melding the family you make with the family you have.
It’s as sweet as can be. Apart from sleeping with one’s professor — students, do not do this! — the show is positive about just about everything: motherhood, daughterhood, professional wrestling, second chances, sex work, cosplaying and the way art shows up in strange places. Only Marcia Gay Harden, as Mark’s mother, Elizabeth, is an outright villain, and you will hate her.
The series was created by David E. Kelley (Mr. Michelle Pfeiffer), from Rufi Thorpe’s 2024 novel, once again under the umbrella of Nicole Kidman’s Blossom Films (following their collaborations on “Big Little Lies,” “Nine Perfect Strangers” and “Love & Death”), with its house style of well-upholstered capital-Q Quality (as distinct, in its pop-cult, way, from prestige). (Kidman has a small role as a wrestler-turned-lawyer and it’s been a while since I’ve seen her this well used.) “Margo’s Got Money Problems” can be terribly sentimental, almost corny — the climax is pure Hollywood — but undeniably effective. And if its mix of comedy and drama can be a little destabilizing, you won’t need to worry about where it ends up.
Many people make simple mistakes when submitting passport photos, which often require them to reapply. Here, learn what to avoid and how to take the perfect photo.
Applying for a passport costs over £100(Image: Matt Cardy/Getty Images)
When planning a trip, it’s common to want to spend as little as possible and avoid traps that can land us with unexpected costs. But if it’s time to renew your passport or apply for one, making simple mistakes could end up costing you an extra £102.
UK passport fees exceed £100 for a standard application, so it’s important to ensure everything is correct and up to standard when submitting your application. While there are plenty of official guidelines out there, many applications are still delayed or rejected each year due to photo issues, according to CEWE’s creative lead, Adrianne Yates.
According to HM Passport Office, your passport photo must meet strict requirements so you don’t have to reapply and pay new fees.
For the perfect photo, stand in front of a plain, light-coloured background, use balanced lighting with no shadows, and take a clear, natural image of your face. You’ll also need to keep your expression neutral – so no smiling – with your mouth closed and eyes open.
If you’re wearing glasses, make sure they don’t cause glare. Headwear is only allowed for religious or medical reasons. Additionally, the image must be in colour, unedited, and taken within the last month to reflect your current look.
While these rules are generally well known, Adrianne Yates has shared some lesser-known tips that could help you even further – to avoid an expensive mistake.
The first one is to not tense up – by simply breathing out just before the photo is taken, as people often hold tension in their face without realising.
She says overthinking can also backfire, as trying too hard to take the perfect photo can leave you with what she describes as a “startled” look, which she says could lead to your photo being rejected.
And one of the most common mistakes people make is not paying enough attention to the lighting rules. The rules clearly state that there should be no shadows, but even faint ones, if overlooked, can cause problems. Adrianne highlights how hair, in particular, can cast shadows across your face, so keep that in mind and make sure your features are fully visible.
A travel content creator based in Tenerife believes there are five common mistakes tourists make when visiting the largest of the Canary Islands and has advised how to avoid making them
Alan Johnson Social News Reporter
06:00, 05 Apr 2026
View of San Cristóbal de La Laguna from the Jardina Viewpoint, with the Teide volcano covered by clouds, Tenerife (Image: Manuel ROMARIS via Getty Images)
If you’re planning a getaway to Tenerife in the near future, a travel content creator based in the popular Canary Islands resort has highlighted five common blunders many visitors make. Taking to TikTok, Tenerife Ambience suggested that such missteps stop tourists from experiencing the “real” island.
Around 2.3 million Brits flock to the sun-soaked destination each year. However, Brits travelling to Spain this weekend could face severe travel disruption amid major airport strikes.
More than a million travellers could be hit by industrial action taking place at popular destinations across Spain. Tenerife Ambience warned against falling victim to these pitfalls.
Staying only in the South
“The South is for sun and hotels,” Tenerife Ambience said, “but the soul of the island is in the North (Anaga, La Orotava, Garachico) – that is where the real magic begins.”
Fearing the North’s weather
Connected to the previous point, Tenerife Ambience urged prospective holidaymakers not to be deterred by the supposedly more challenging weather conditions in the island’s northern region. “Mist in the laurel forests is not a ‘bad forecast’,” they explained.
“It is the most photogenic atmosphere you will ever see. Just pack a light jacket.”
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Overlooking logistics
While mountain roads may look short on the map, these winding ‘serpentine’ routes require time to navigate. Therefore, Tenerife Ambience recommends: “Do not rush through the drives. Tenerife is not for hurrying.”
Visiting Teide
Mount Teide is a 3,718-metre-high active stratovolcano situated on the island, and is an absolute must-see. However, Tenerife Ambience cautions against visiting around midday, when it tends to be heaving with crowds.
“The heat and crowds kill the scale of this place,” they said. “Stay for the sunset. Watching the sun go down above the clouds is a life-changing experience.”
‘Tourist’ food
Rounding off Tenerife Ambience’s list is a word of warning about dining out. “Forget frozen paella in the ports,” they advised. “Look for Guachinches in the North. Local wine and fresh octopus are the true taste of the island.”
For those who love exploring on foot, Tenerife Ambience has put together five “iconic” oceanfront routes to “feel the real energy” of the Atlantic, taking in “wild cliffs to misty palm groves”. In their own words, these are:
1. Costa de El Sauzal. A hidden scenic boardwalk directly above the crashing waves.
2. El Médano to Montaña Roja. Windy dunes and a stunning view of the Red Mountain. Pure freedom.
3. Lago Martiánez to Playa Jardín. The best of Puerto de la Cruz: saltwater pools, black sand, and lush parks.
4. Punta del Hidalgo. Walking between huge volcanic mountains and natural ocean pools. North side vibe.
5. Rambla de Castro. A lush palm forest trail right above the powerful Atlantic ocean. A total fairytale.
